Darlington manager Simon Davey has released Richie Byrne, Stuart Giddings, Mor Diop, Rikki Baines and Dan Riley as he prepares for next season in the Blue Square Premier.

Davey, who has wielded the axe just short of one month after replacing previous manager Steve Staunton, has told all five players they do not figure in his future plans.

Irish defender Byrne arrived from Inverness in February and made four appearances, Giddings was signed from Hinckley in November and has since made 21 appearances and French striker Diop played on 23 occasions, mainly under Staunton, who brought him to the club in October.

Striker Riley did not appear for the Quakers' first team, while defender Bains has spent the last three months on loan at Gateshead.